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Profile image for Keith Aberdein

Keith Aberdein

Writer, Actor

Keith Aberdein is probably best known for playing the small-town policeman who arouses Bruno Lawrence's ire in classic 1980s movie Smash Palace. But his screen work covers many angles: from reporting on the Wahine disaster, to producing and directing, to writing arguably the most ambitious television drama in New Zealand's history.

People look at us and think, ‘three million people, how do you do it?' Keith Aberdein in a 1985 issue of Onfilm, on New Zealand’s film and television industry

Thumbnail image for Keith Aberdein: Scripting NZ classics...
Interview

Keith Aberdein: Scripting NZ classics...

Interview, 2010

Thumbnail image for RNZ Interview: The Governor - Keith Aberdein & Trisha Dunleavy
Interview

RNZ Interview: The Governor - Keith Aberdein & Trisha Dunleavy

Interview, 2022

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Uproar

2023, Originial Screenplay - Film

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Utu Redux

2013, Writer - Film

Thumbnail image for I Was There - Wahine Disaster

I Was There - Wahine Disaster

2013, Reporter - Television

Thumbnail image for 50 Years of New Zealand Television: 1 - From One Channel to One Hundred

50 Years of New Zealand Television: 1 - From One Channel to One Hundred

2010, Subject - Television

Thumbnail image for 50 Years of New Zealand Television: 5 - Telling Stories

50 Years of New Zealand Television: 5 - Telling Stories

2010, Subject - Television

Thumbnail image for The Making of Smash Palace

The Making of Smash Palace

2004, Subject - Short Film

Thumbnail image for Angela D'Audney - A Tribute

Angela D'Audney - A Tribute

2002, Subject - Television

Thumbnail image for Numero Bruno

Numero Bruno

2000, Subject - Television

Thumbnail image for The Last Tattoo

The Last Tattoo

1994, Writer - Film

Thumbnail image for Here is the News

Here is the News

1992, Subject - Television

Thumbnail image for Here Is The News - Wahine excerpt

Here Is The News - Wahine excerpt

1992, Subject - Television

Thumbnail image for Inside Straight - Card Game (Episode Seven)

Inside Straight - Card Game (Episode Seven)

1984, Creator, Writer - Television

Thumbnail image for Inside Straight

Inside Straight

1984, Creator, Writer - Television

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Iris

1984, Writer - Television

Thumbnail image for Wild Horses

Wild Horses

1984, As: Mitch - Film

Thumbnail image for Close to Home - Final Episode

Close to Home - Final Episode

1983, Writer - Television

Thumbnail image for Hooks and Feelers

Hooks and Feelers

1983, As: Father - Short Film

Thumbnail image for Utu

Utu

1983, Writer - Film

Thumbnail image for Loose Enz - Graham's Mum and the Goulden Tour

Loose Enz - Graham's Mum and the Goulden Tour

1982, Script Editor - Television

Thumbnail image for Carry Me Back

Carry Me Back

1982, Writer - Film

Thumbnail image for Loose Enz - The Venus Touch

Loose Enz - The Venus Touch

1982, Director, Writer - Television

Thumbnail image for Jocko - Man with a Gun

Jocko - Man with a Gun

1981, As: Tom - Television

Thumbnail image for Flight 901 - The Erebus Disaster

Flight 901 - The Erebus Disaster

1981, Writer - Television

Thumbnail image for Jocko

Jocko

1981 - 1983, As: Tom - Television

Thumbnail image for Smash Palace

Smash Palace

1981, As: Ray Foley - Film

Thumbnail image for Mortimer's Patch - Day of Judgement (First Episode)

Mortimer's Patch - Day of Judgement (First Episode)

1980, Writer - Television

Thumbnail image for Mortimer's Patch

Mortimer's Patch

1980 - 1984, Writer - Television

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Nutcase

1980, Writer - Film

Thumbnail image for Middle Age Spread

Middle Age Spread

1979, Writer - Film

Thumbnail image for The Governor

The Governor

1977, Actor, Writer - Television

Thumbnail image for The Governor 4 - He Iwi Ko Tahi Tatou / Now We Are One People (Episode Four)

The Governor 4 - He Iwi Ko Tahi Tatou / Now We Are One People (Episode Four)

1977, Writer, As: Drummond Hay - Television

Thumbnail image for The Governor 5 - The Lame Seagull (Episode Five)

The Governor 5 - The Lame Seagull (Episode Five)

1977, Writer - Television

Thumbnail image for The Governor 1 - The Reverend Traitor (First Episode)

The Governor 1 - The Reverend Traitor (First Episode)

1977, Writer - Television

Thumbnail image for The Governor 2 - No Way to Treat A Lady (Episode Two)

The Governor 2 - No Way to Treat A Lady (Episode Two)

1977, Writer - Television

Thumbnail image for The Governor 3 - The Mutinous Lieutenant (Episode Three)

The Governor 3 - The Mutinous Lieutenant (Episode Three)

1977, Writer - Television

Thumbnail image for The Governor 6 - To the Death (Episode Six)

The Governor 6 - To the Death (Episode Six)

1977, Writer - Television

Thumbnail image for The Making of The Governor

The Making of The Governor

1977, Subject - Television

Thumbnail image for Epidemic - Hemi Te Koaka (First Episode)

Epidemic - Hemi Te Koaka (First Episode)

1976, Writer - Television

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Moynihan

1976 - 1977, Writer - Television

Thumbnail image for The God Boy

The God Boy

1976, Script Editor - Television

Thumbnail image for On the Day

On the Day

1975, Writer - Television

Thumbnail image for Close to Home

Close to Home

1975 - 1983, Director, Writer, Producer, Actor - Television

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Nationwide

1974, Reporter - Television

Thumbnail image for Nationwide Skits - Fred Dagg and Company

Nationwide Skits - Fred Dagg and Company

1974, Reporter - Television

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Section 7

1972, Writer - Television

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Pukemanu

1972, Writer - Television

Thumbnail image for Tank Busters

Tank Busters

1970, Actor - Television

Thumbnail image for John Rowles, Ladies and Gentlemen

John Rowles, Ladies and Gentlemen

1969, Director - Television

Thumbnail image for M'Lady

M'Lady

1969, Director - Music video

Thumbnail image for NZBC Classics - Wahine Disaster

NZBC Classics - Wahine Disaster

1968, Reporter - Television

Thumbnail image for Town and Around

Town and Around

1065 - 1969, Reporter (Wellington) - Television

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Compass

1964 - 1969, Reporter - Television